Name: Ricky
Pet's Name: Lucy Blue
From: Breckenridge, Colorado
To: Singapore

When we first discussed relocating to Singapore for a couple of years, our major concern was our chocolate lab, Lucy, as we couldn't imagine going without her. She had traveled across the US a number of times by car, but had never gone anywhere in the cargo hold of a plane.

We were also concerned about a potential long stay in quarantine for her, not to mention the paperwork and shots involved for export/import requirements. When we learned that quarantine in Singapore would only be 10 days if the paperwork and immunizations were absolutely perfect, we thought it was a possibility. After hearing of PetRelocation.com and the door-to-door service they provide along with expert advice about everything from travel crates to flight routes, our minds were put at ease enough to go ahead with the move.

In retrospect, I couldn't imagine doing this kind of move without PetRelocation.com. It was clear from how Cara Scott and her team handled the process that this company loves animals, understands their important roles as family members, and wants to do the best for their furry customers. Cara's attention to detail and the reminders and assistance she provided every step of the way decreased our stress around this move substantially. We will be calling them again when we return to the US!

Pet travelers going to places like Australia and Malaysia are often concerned to hear they have to undergo a quarantine. While this sounds like a scary prospect, in reality many quarantine facilities are great about meeting pets' needs and making specific country requirements as manageable as possible.



Just ask Lucy, a dog we recently moved to Singapore. After moving from Colorado, Lucy completed the prescribed quarantine and has even been blogging about her experience.

If you have any trouble visualizing what a quarantine actually entails, check out Singapooch, which is full of great information and a video illustrating that, just because she couldn't go home for a few days, Lucy remained a pretty happy dog.

Moving a pet to Singapore? Find out what you need to know on our site and feel free to contact us if you have questions about anything related to pet travel!

If you're planning a pet move to New Zealand anytime soon, take note that they are instituting a few changes to their import requirements that began May 27, 2011. While all travelers are encouraged to follow the new standards, there will be a one-month implementation period from May 27 to June 27 where cats and dogs can either be imported under the new import health standards or the old ones.

Here's a little more info from the official website:

During the one-month change-over period, pets can follow the quarantine period from either the old or new import standards, regardless of which tests and treatments they have undergone.

For example:

-Pets from the United Kingdom, Hawaii, Ireland, Norway, Singapore and Sweden who enter the country before or on June 27 are not required to undergo quarantine.

-Pets from other countries where quarantine is reduced under the new standards (most other countries including the USA and South Africa) who enter New Zealand before or on June 26 will undergo the reduced 10-day quarantine period.

-Pets from Australia are not required to undergo a quarantine. Beginning June 28, all Australian airport checks must be done by an official vet and will only be done during certain hours (see the Guidance Document for more details).

-That being said, everyone is urged to prepare all pets under the new standards. Beginning on June 28, all pets must meet the new requirements based on their country of origin. If they fail to meet these requirements, they may not be eligible for import to New Zealand, or may be required to undergo further testing and treatment in quarantine.

-Pets from the United Kingdom, Hawaii, Ireland, Norway, Singapore and Sweden who enter New Zealand starting on June 28 require an import permit prior to entry and a 10-day quarantine period upon arrival.


Find more information about New Zealand's health standards as well as the change-over period for dog and cat importation, and please contact PetRelocation.com if you have any questions.

We're not the only ones who like to blog... It looks like Lucy, a dog we're in the process of moving to Singapore from the US, has her very own blog!

Lucy has been living in Colorado, but she's now on her way (along with her parents, of course) to live a life of excitement overseas.

It's always fun (and informative) to learn about the pet relocation process from a dog's-eye view, so if you have a move ahead of you, are curious about Lufthansa Airlines or want to know more about Singapore, take a look at Singapooch. It's a fun read!

We wish Lucy safe travels, and can't wait to follow her adventures in her new home!

Name: Lyn
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Dogs
Pet Breed: Dachshund and Lab
From: New Zealand
To: Indonesia

We are moving soon to Indonesia (Java) for two years. We would like to bring our dogs with us. We have no problem getting them to Indonesia - the problem is bringing them back. We have heard we will have to send them to Singapore for six months before we can bring them back. Is this true? Will they be in quarantine in Singapore? Is there another way around this?

Hi Lyn,

Thanks for the question! First review the pet import requirements for New Zealand -- you're right that this is a tougher country to enter, and quarantine rules will come into play. It may also help to read the true story of a pet move to Australia in order to get a better idea of how a process like this works from start to finish.

Let us know if you have any questions about these regulations, Lyn! We'd be happy to help you with your move.

Good luck with everything!

Name: Adeline
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Maltese
From: Singapore
To: Tennessee, USA

I will be moving to the USA in August and would like to know more about the procedure and process of moving my dog from Singapore to Tennessee with me. She is four years old, and I am thinking of letting her travel with me on the plane. Is there a quarantine requirement? What type of documentation should I bring along to prepare her to fly with me? This will be her first time on a plane.

Thanks,
Adeline

Hi Adeline,

Thank you for the question! To get started, take a look at the pet import requirements for the United States. There is no quarantine requirement, but you will need to secure a few documents and vaccinations.

Please contact us if you have any more questions. Good luck!

Much of the Western world celebrates New Year's Day on Jan. 1, but in China the holiday arrives a little later (this year it's Feb. 3) and covers the span of several days. It's the most important holiday on the Chinese calendar, and it's celebrated by Chinese citizens all around the globe with feasts, family visits and various happy traditions.

In terms of pet travel, the Chinese New Year is something to be aware of because many businesses and customs offices in China and a few surrounding places (including Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong) shut down during this time. Here at PetRelocation.com, we're sure not to ship any pets during the holiday week, and in fact we give ourselves a buffer on either end of this period in order to make sure our clients don't encounter any troubles.


This year, we won't be shipping any pets into this region from Feb. 1 to Feb. 9, which affected the schedules of about five of our clients. Once again, this shows that there are many reasons to start the pet move process well in advance. You never know if flight reservations, vaccination schedules or customs communications might be affected by a particular country's traditions or holidays, so give yourself plenty of time to sort everything out.

So there's another important pet travel tip: Whether it's Chinese New Year or August in Italy (when much of the country slows down for vacation), you never know what lies ahead. Make time for thorough pet shipping research, and always plan carefully.

Don't know much about Chinese New Year? Here are a few fun facts:
 
-Chinese New Year begins on a different day each year because it's calculated according to astronomical measurements. The dates are figured using science and math rather than religion or mythology.

-On New Year's Eve, it's traditional to hold a huge feast featuring "lucky" dishes like noodles, fish, dumplings, mandarin oranges and various sweets.

-Each year is named after one of 12 different Chinese animals, and 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit.

-Instead of celebrating individual birthdays, Chinese citizens track their age based on the animal of the year they were born.

-Celebratory customs include cleaning the house to rid it of lingering ill fortune, decorating with red papercuts (sometimes called "window flowers"), feasting and setting off firecrackers.

-The Chinese New Year lasts 15 days, each with a different theme, and ends with a Lantern Festival.

Name: Risha
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Wheaten Terrier
From: California, US
To: Singapore

Do you recommend booking a long (21 hrs) direct flight for a nervous dog or is it better to book a layover? Do you have an airline you recommend that flies US to Asia? -Risha


Great question, Risha! It might surprise some people, but we do generally recommend booking a layover in order to give pets a chance to stretch their legs and spend some time outside the travel crate. We often use pet-friendly airlines like Continental and KLM, as they make an effort to take top-notch care of traveling pets.

Please contact us if you'd like some help handling your move, and good luck to you and your dog!

Happy New Year, pet travelers! We can only guess what 2011 will hold for us, but surely there are plenty of lessons and adventures ahead. The last few days of news have already offered a few items worth discussing... Here's what's been going on lately in the world of pet travel.

Smart Start
Did you know that Jan. 2 was National Pet Travel Safety Day? It may be a little known holiday but it's not as specific as it sounds -- pet travel can mean an international move, a simple trip to the grocery store or something in between, and for each scenario it's important to follow basic safety rules. So, in honor of the new year, take the time to brush up on the pet travel fundamentals. Among other things, don't let your dog stick his head out the window, start crate training early on to instill familiarity before a move, and keep your pets in good health and up-to-date on all vaccines.

Pet-Friendly Vacation Gems
Maybe your New Year's Resolution involves traveling more; if so, you'll be happy to notice that the world is becoming ever more accessible to people with pets. Singapore has proven itself especially open to including pets in daily life, and it's becoming more and more common to find beaches, restaurants and hotels that truly qualify as pet-friendly. We recently discussed pet relief areas at airports, too, so do your research before you hit the road.

Holiday Generosity
The holidays tend to bring out the best in people, and a glance at the news finds that adoption events and fundraisers did a great job of making life better for animals in need this season. Pilots N Paws, for example, is an organization that relies on volunteer pilots to relocate dogs and cats so that they'll have a better chance at finding homes. Read more about Pilots N Paws and stay tuned for PetRelocation's interview with one of the group's founders in the coming days.

Airport Mysteries
Unfortunately, during the past couple of weeks tragedy has befallen two different pet travelers. It has been reported that a cat named Patch disappeared at the Cairo airport when her owner was en route to New York's JFK, and a German Shepherd mix apparently escaped from her crate at the Atlanta airport and was later found dead by the highway. Both pets were traveling with Delta Airlines (and were not PetRelocation clients), and neither incident has yet to be fully explained or understood by the parties involved. It's clear that something went terribly wrong, however, and here's hoping that heartbreaking mishaps such as these are never allowed to happen again.

Name: Magaret O.
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Mix Shi Zhu and Maltese
From: Singapore
To: United Kingdom Manchester

Hi, I am moving to the United Kingdom next year around March and I love my little precious and wouldn't want to leave without her... I would like to knew if you could help me on how I could travel on the plane with my precious? Which airline allows pets in the cabin with the owner throughout the whole journey? Is there a transporter who can handle all the necessary paper work? Thank you very much; hope to hear from you soon.....cheers!! -Margaret

Hi Margaret,

Thanks for your inquiry! There are a few steps to take to prepare for your upcoming journey. Take a look at the United Kingdom Import Rules and Requirements for an idea of what's to come, and certainly contact us if you'd like to enlist a Pet Relocation Specialist to help you plan the details of the trip in a timely way.

You may not be able to take your precious pup along with you in the cabin (see the British Airways site for more information about what you might expect), but that doesn't mean you won't enjoy a safe and efficient pet travel experience. Check with individual airlines for more information, or give us a call!

Don't forget to check us out on Facebook, too. Connecting with a wide community of pet travelers can make this experience much easier.

Good luck with everything and let us know how we can be of further assistance!

For the past couple of weeks we've been preparing for BlogPaws 2010 West (which is now just a couple of days away!) by getting to know a few panelists and blog stars who'll be attending the event. Molly Mednikow of Amazon CARES was kind enough to answer a few of our questions last week - we chose to talk to her because of the great work she does in Peru to promote animal welfare, and we enjoyed learning more about her and introducing her to our pet travel community.

Unsurprisingly, we're not the only ones who have taken notice of Molly and her crew of do-gooders. She was recently given the "Most Versatile Blogger" award by Wilma the Pug and then, because this is an honor that's meant to be shared, she passed it along to us. We'd like to thank Molly for the recognition and, as is the tradition, share a few things about
ourselves that some of you may not know.


7 Things About PetRelocation

1. We're located in Austin, TX. Austin is a fun,
and extremely dog-friendly, place to live and many of our employees regularly bring their pups to work with them.

2. We're in the news. In response to a recent tragic incident involving puppies and flying, our CEO wrote an Op-Ed addressing the issues at stake when it comes to safe air travel with pets.

3. We love to keep in touch with pet lovers all over the world. Not only are we on Facebook, but we've created specialized communities there for people living in Singapore, Australia and the UK as well.

4. We offer discounts to military members. Service men and women can be deployed to faraway places without much notice, and we like to help make sure their pets are taken care of.

5. We move more than just dogs and cats. From horses to turtles, ferrets to cockatoos, we're not shy about taking on exotic pet relocations.

6. We seem to attract a lot of pug lovers. All kinds of pet owners send us pictures and stories, but there never seems to be a shortage of puglet pics at our disposal. Check out our Facebook photos if you ever need to get your fix!

7. We'll be at BlogPaws! Like many of you, we love keeping up with all the entertaining and informative pet blogs out there, so it'll be fun to get together with everyone this weekend. Hope to see you there!

We move pets all the time using KLM and have outlined some pet friendly perks of the top destinations accessible on KLM Cargo flights. 

1.  Amsterdam, Netherlands

In addition to hosting the AF-KL Cargo Animal Hotel at its main airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the city of Amsterdam offers pet lovers plenty of pet friendly options.

The Ibis Amsterdam City Stopera hotel is ideally located in the city centre a few minutes from the Stopera Opera House Dam Square Rembrandtplein and Waterlooplein.  They allow up to two dogs per night for a fee of 5 euros/night per dog.  Pet owners who want to get out and enjoy some of the Netherlands beautiful parks can stop by Sarphatipark, which has a doggie playground on the opposite side of a small pond.  It's also conveniently located to Albert Cuyp Market, which makes a great picnic stop!  De Bakkerswinkel also offers outdoor seating for pets and their owners.

Since Amsterdam is AF-KL Cargo's main hub, there are plenty of pet friendly flights for pets from the US and other international airports all over the world.  Pets that fly into Amsterdam will need to clear through customs at Schiphol and will need to meet the Netherlands Pet Import Rules.

We moved Murphy to Singapore using KLM Airlines - here he enjoys a ride on a pedicab!2. Singapore, Singapore

Singapore is a popular destination for expats and their pets.  There are plenty of leash-free dog parks available in Singapore where pets can run and socialize.  Bishan Park Dog Run, one of the largest dog parks in Singapore, is fenced in and centrally located.  Weekends can get cramped but it has some perks:  big breed dogs are kept separated from small-breed pets at the park.  While the park is open daily 24 hours, it is only lit from 7pm-7am.   For more dog parks, check out Time Out Singapore's dog park rundown!

AF-KL Cargo offers pet flights to Singapore Changi from their hub in Amsterdam.  For information on rules and requirements for moving your pet to Singapore, see our Singapore Pet Travel page.

3. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Every dog has its day in Kuala Lumpur!  Dogathon, an annual carnival of dogs and their owners, was started in 1997 as a 2.5km run to benefit Pro-Kasih, a public education program that supports catch-and-release spay and neuter services to help control Malaysia's stray dog problems.  Now in its thirteen year, the Dogathon offers games and events for pets and their owners. 

Pets can travel to Malaysia via AF-KL Cargo's pet flights from Amsterdam, but will need to fulfill a seven-day mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur at the government quarantine facility. Check out our Malaysia Pet Travel page for more details.

4. Stockholm, Sweden

If you're looking for a pet friendly place to stay in Stockholm, try the Grand Hotel Intercontinental, which allows up to two dogs of any size for no additional fees.  For a little exercise for your pooch, check out Vasaparken, a dog-friendly park located in Vasastaden and named after the Royal Vasa Dynasty.  Your pet will feel like he's king of the castle!

Don't forget to check out the Sweden Pet Travel rules before you go.

Here's Wheezy, a Boston Terrier we moved to Bali using KLM Airlines!5. Bali, Indonesia

Bali is an exotic location that has been booming with tourism and business-which means the pets followed shortly behind!  The Bali Street Dog Foundation is a non-profit animal welfare organization that aims to reduce the numbers of unhealthy, neglected street dogs in Bali and hosts occasional events to raise awareness.  Most recently, they had a Fun Walk for Animals to help raise money to control the spread of rabies within Bali.  If you run out of supplies for your favorite pet, not to worry:  the Bali Pet Shop has four locations in Sanur, Denpasar, Kuta and Seminyak selling "complete products for your lovely animal."

 

You've gone online to search for a puppy and stumbled across a free Yorkie puppy named "Romeo."  Or maybe an adorable English bull dog puppy with droopy eyes, or a free Pomerianian puppy named "Candy."  It might even be a free Persian or Siberian kitten.  The owners of the puppy aren't asking for any money -- except for the shipping costs. 

Sometimes there's a sad story that goes along with the puppies.  The puppy's owner will tell you that their daughter died, and it was her puppy, or that they are adopting an orphan and won't have time to care for the puppy.

They'll ask you some questions, meant to pull at your heartstrings and make you want to qualify to get this free puppy:

Where are you located?
Are you a breeder?
Do you have kids?
Can you also promise that you will take good care of him/her?

But they want some money to ship the puppy, and they want it sent as a Western Union.  Many times they want you to send this Western Union to somewhere like Douala, Cameroon in Nigeria.  Sometimes it will be California.

Every day, PetRelocation.com takes phone calls from people who have been victims of puppy scams.  It all seems so reasonable, just to pay the shipping costs.  People want to know how much PetRelocation will charge to arrange the shipping and we have to explain that there is no puppy.  The puppy scammers will not release the puppy to a reputable company like ours because the puppy does not exist. They only want to get your money, however small amount, in cash.

Here are some names of fradulent companies and email addresses we have identified:

USA PET RELOCATION Delivery Service

IntPetRelocators

WORLD WIDE PETS RELOCATORS

PETS RELOCATORS TRANSPORTATION AGENCY

PET DELIVERY/AIR TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, PET SHIPPING AGENCY SINGAPORE

GLOBAL PETS TRAVEL SERVICE

PETSHIPPING AGENCY

pets_relocators_delivery@mail.com

leslieeve26@yahoo.com

petshipping_agency@mail.com

chrisnoble70@yahoo.com.au

sera.eve80@yahoo.com

10/22/10 UPDATE - Please read!

Comments Policy
If you have been scammed by a puppy shipper, feel free to post your correspondence in the "comments" section below this post as others have done, as it will help to deter the criminals.  However, please note: Delete any of your own personal contact information from the correspondence you are copy/pasting into your comment prior to posting your comment.  Many scammers are considered to be dangerous and it is important not to publish your name, address and phone number online.  If you have posted your own information and woudl like it removed, please email us (blog[at]petrelocation[dot]com) to let us know your name and the information you'd like removed.

"I have been scammed, what can I do to report the scammer?"

1.  Put as much information about the scammer as possible in the comments section below, including:
Email address of the scammer
Western Union name that the money was sent to (or that they asked the money be sent to)
Phone numbers/addresses given by the scammer
Any other information

2.  Fax a letter of complaint to the US Embassy in Cameroon (if you were scammed by someone in Cameroon):

The United States Embassy in Cameroon
Phone: (237) 2220-1500
Fax (237) 2220-1500x4531

3. Post the scam information on Fraudwatchers.org, an online watchdog group for online scams.

There's a good article up on MSNBC.com by Harriet Baskas about travelers with pets whose behavior can sometimes get hairy:

According to the 2009/2010 National Pet Owners Survey, more than 71 million U.S. households own a pet. Many people consider their pets to be part of the family, and when it's time for a business or leisure trip, many dogs, cats and birds go right along.  While there are an increasing number of hotels, attractions and even bars and restaurants with policies welcoming pets, some travelers still feel the need to chew up the rules.

The article goes on to list several examples of people pushing the pet-friendly limits, everything from sneaking in monkeys to letting their dog swim in the hotel pool.  If pet travel was a puppy training class, that behavior definitely wouldn't pass the test.

We've mentioned before (see: "Pet Travel Etiquette:  Mind Your P's and Oops!") that pet owners who take their pets along with them on trips are ultimately ambassadors for the entire pet travel industry.  Picking up after your pet, making sure you are aware of the local rules and regulations and planning well in advance are all part of making sure that Fido gets a return invite to your favorite pet-friendly chateau.

Not only does this help you and your pet have a more pleasant travel experience, but it can also be a safety factor.  Not knowing that your pet isn't allowed to do certain things (for example, in Singapore, many breeds must be muzzled when out in public) can lead to fines and even stickier situations like quarantine or arguing with local officials in a foreign language.

And remember: if you wouldn't let your kid get away with it, then neither should your King Charles Spaniel!

 

Just letting you know we called into Pet Paradise to visit Molly yesterday afternoon after we landed in Houston. She was doing fine and seemed quite happy - though she did her best to get us to take her home with us.

We are now in our apartment and after a quick trip to the supermarket yesterday to get some cat food, litter tray etc, we are all organised and very much looking forward to her arrival this morning.

Thanks again for all your help with cat travel and with getting Molly all the way over here from Singapore. You definitely made it the easiest, most worry-free pet travel we have ever undertaken with Molly!

Best regards,

Janice

Singapore to Houston, TX

No one ever said pet shipping was easy, and when it comes to shipping birds, things can definitely get pretty tricky.  The amount of paperwork involved in flying a feathered friend overseas is usually quite extensive.  We recently moved Pipi, a very cute cockatiel, from New York City to Nagoya, Japan.  His owners were thrilled to see him, and sent us this note today shortly after he arrived:

Pipi has arrived 10 minutes ago. Now he is eating food and looks so happy. My son is so excited to see him. Of course, I'm so happy to see him!!!!! Thank you so much for your support to import my family member Pipi.

Best,

Eiko and Pipi

So what exactly is involved in flying a bird to Japan?  People always jokingly ask us, "Can't they just fly themselves?"  Unfortunately, your bird will need to rely on good old fashioned air travel just like you to move overseas.  Here's a quick rundown of things to keep in mind if you're shipping a bird:

1.  The Right Type of Bird Travel Crate

We talk a lot about pet travel crates being an important first step in the process and it's no different for birds.  If you're planning on flying your bird, you'll need to comply by IATA's Live Animal Regulations (LARs).  What this means for birds is typically that the crate offers them some sort of perch, has openings for ventilation that aren't too big for them to get a beak or a wing outside of and provides them with food and water.  We make custom bird crates here at our offices, which consists of purchasing a small dog or cat travel crate (depending on the size of the bird we're shipping) and attaching a storebought perch to the inside of the crate wall.  We then cover the ventilation holes and door with very fine pieces of wire mesh that we attach securely with plastic zip ties.  Since privacy is important to birds, we make detachable "curtains" by cutting out strips of burlap that we attach to the outside of the crate with velcro.  Add a couple of dishes to the crate door and line the floor with a piece of newspaper and you've got a first-class bird crate ready to go! Don't forget to start getting your bird used to being in the crate well in advance of his move.

2.  Check Your Bird's CITES Status

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, protects not only endangered species but other exotic species that might be subject to endangerment if their trade is not controlled.  If you are moving with an exotic species internationally and your pet is listed as a CITES protected species, you'll need to make sure you have the right permits ahead of time.  Departing from the US, pet owners will also need to have their pet inspected and permits issued by the US Fish & Wildlife Service prior to departure as well.  It takes about 6-7 months to obtain the documentation required to safely and legally ship a CITES species, so we advise people who are planning to hire our services to move their exotic pets to contact us as soon as they can.  In the case of our friend Pipi, he is one of the three parrot species not listed as a CITES species so we were able to avoid the lengthy CITES permitting process.  Cockatiels, budgies and peach-faced lovebirds are all exempt from CITES regulations.  Other popular parrots like African greys, cockatoos and macaws are all protected by CITES.

3.  Know the Pre-Export and Post-Import Requirements

This is perhaps the hardest step of moving a bird internationally. There are many steps that must be taken before a bird can travel internationally.  You not only have to know the export requirements for the country you're departing from but also the import requirements for your destination country.  Pipi, for example, had to originate froma region free of Avian Influenza and be kept in an "embarkation quarantine facility" for 21 days prior to departure to prevent entry of mosquitos.  Other countries, like Singapore, require a series of Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease testing, all done within a certain timeframe before the flight.

If you get stuck - contact us. We'll make it happen!

Remember Tiger the Shih Tzu and her festive photo in San Francisco before she moved to pet friendly Singapore?  Well, she made the big pet travel trip a few weeks ago and, after a short stay at the Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station for her required quarantine time, she's now back at home with her family and catching up on some much-needed Zzz's.  It's hard work being as cute as Tiger is all the time!